GUEST SPEAKER - RICHARD STARKEY

Release Date: 01/30/01
Source: Biography

Guitarist and vocalist Richard Starkey has long been considered one of the best lead and flatpicking guitar players in the Northeast. He has entertained audiences with his versatility and musicianship for more than 25 years. A winner of several awards for his picking and vocals, Richard plays solo, duo, and with a number of respected and popular Country and Bluegrass groups.

His musical career includes concert performances with Bill Monroe, Peter Rowan, The Newgrass Revival, Vassar Clements, David Grier, Kenny Smith and Roland White. He has also performed and recorded with Rounder recording artist Skip Gorman and "Rabbit in a Log." Richard has picked for the Nashville recording group "Teresa and the Rangers," who were voted by the New England Country Musician Association as New England’s best country band. Starkey has opened concerts for such luminaries as Johnny Cash, John Hartford, Doc Watson and Norman Blake and will be a featured performer at many bluegrass events throughout 2001. Richard has recently completed a flatpicking duet CD entitled Delaware Crossing with 1995 National Flatpicking Champ Mark Cosgrove, available on the "Noisy Neighbor Label."

Richard, who is based in Franklin, Tennessee, is an authorized Martin Guitar Repair Technician who takes care of the guitars of many of Nashville’s celebrity recording artists that play Martin guitars. He was recently profiled in Flatpicking Guitar magazine.

Richard has been actively involved with stringed instrument making and repair for more than 25 years. His clinic includes a historical overview of the Martin Guitar Company throughout its 166-year history, a video tour of the Martin plant in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and plenty of acoustic guitar picking and singing in the wide range of styles that he has mastered. A relaxed and informal entertainer, Starkey is capable of answering just about any question posed on the history, construction and sound of the "C.F. Martin" guitar. Clinic attendees are welcome to bring a favorite Martin guitar for a free check up (time permitting), and admission is free.